Cyprus-Forum.com

[halil]

Away from the Greek and Turkish propaganda machines....how the others see



Recommendations from non-governmental organisations on how to solve the Cyprus problem (2006)

ICG, 8 March 2006:
"[...] RECOMMENDATIONS

To EU Institutions and Member States:
1. Accept that ending the isolation of northern Cyprus is a strategic imperative for the European Union, pending the unification of the island.
2. Continue to work on, and press Cyprus to accept:
(a) committing the Union to proceed on the trade regulation under a specified timeframe and implementing the aid regulation for northern Cyprus, with provision for acquis harmonisation, reform of the civil service, refurbishment of Famagusta port and financing of a census;
(b) establishing a subordinate branch of the Commission’s delegation in the north to
coordinate the delivery of funds and acquis harmonisation;
(c) ensuring that Turkish Cypriots are fairly represented within EU institutions; and
(d) revising the current proposals for direct trade to include the incorporation of northern Cyprus
into the EU customs union with Turkey, the amendment of the Green Line regulation and
the joint management of Famagusta port by the Turkish Cypriots and the Commission.
3. For individual member states, establish bilateral links where appropriate with the authorities and
civil society in northern Cyprus.
4. In the case of the UK, maintain the commitment under the Annan plan to give up substantial parts of the British sovereign base territory on Cyprus to a post-settlement state.

To the United States:
5. Upgrade the consular office in northern Cyprus to a branch of the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia.
6. Increase contacts at all levels with officials and civil society in northern Cyprus.
To the UN:
7. Adopt the conclusions of the May 2004 Secretary- General’s Report on Cyprus as a Security Council resolution to strengthen the UN’s calls to end the isolation of northern Cyprus.
8. Be ready to engage actively in the preparation of further negotiations, should the Greek Cypriots
indicate their concerns with the Annan Plan in a form which offers some hope for a negotiated settlement.
9. Proceed with the creation of a UNDP Trust Fund for Northern Cyprus.

[halil]

To Greek Cypriots:
10. In the case of the government, at the very least reengage with the UN-sponsored settlement process by submitting a prioritised list of concerns with the Annan Plan to the Secretary-General (as he has requested).
11. In the case of the opposition, moderates on all political sides, and civil society leaders :
(a) initiate a new debate over the future of the island, and the advantages of implementing
the bizonality and bicommunality principles, supporting in that context a review of the
Greek Cypriot historical narrative of the conflict, particularly through the education
system and the media;
(b) support a positive approach to the economic development of northern Cyprus, measures to
reduce its isolation and visa-free access for those Turkish settlers who would have gained
citizenship under the Annan Plan; and
(c) work to reformulate the Greek Cypriot debate on EU-Turkey relations, emphasising the
security gains that would derive from Turkey’s EU accession.
To Greece:
12. Proactively support pro-settlement voices among Greek Cypriot politicians and civil society and
actively support reopening the negotiations based on the Annan Plan.
13. Suspend the Joint Defence Space doctrine, cease joint military activities with the Greek Cypriots
and stop participating in the operations and staffing of the Cypriot National Guard.

[halil]

To Turkish Cypriots:
14. Ensure that the Turkish Cypriot property commission’s procedures are compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights and reinstate Greek Cypriot property in a refurbished Varosha under Turkish Cypriot administration.
15. Proceed immediately on EU acquis harmonisation in areas like trade and public sector reform and embark in other areas on preparatory work to raise public awareness and to determine the necessary transition periods.
16. Adopt the Common External Tariff.
17. Pursue confidence building measures, such as an (EU-monitored) census in the north, strengthening the rights of the Orthodox communities in the Karpas peninsula (including designating part of the peninsula as a demilitarised national park), opening more border crossings, actively supporting international demining efforts, and taking an initiative for the preservation of cultural monuments.
18. Continue to engage with the Committee on Missing Persons to resolve the 2,500 cases of Greek and Turkish Cypriots still not accounted for as a result of the events of the 1960s and the military operation of 1974.
19. Cease any construction work on property owned by Greek Cypriots.
20. Begin planning the creation of mixed population villages in cases where people are willing to move.

[halil]

To Turkey:
21. Implement the Customs Union with all twenty-five member states of the EU as committed.
22. Begin a limited withdrawal of Turkish troops from the north of the island.
23. Commit to repatriating a number of settlers back to Turkey [...]"

[EPSILON]

UN resolutions: Turkish army must withdrawn from Cyprus.Lets start from the first resolution and then we can discuss further on this subject.

[Lordo]

How long ago were they? 1000 or 2000 years ago.

[Sotos]

Halil, the employee of the Turkish Propaganda Agency Bayrak, has posted another Turkish Propaganda publication.

Crisis Group report denounced as shockingly pro-Turkish

Turkey and TCs praised for

Annan Plan acceptance

A REPORT by the "International Crisis Group" (ICG) on the Cyprus situation in Cyprus was denounced as completely biased, pro-Turkish and as such inconsequential and unacceptable by Government Spokesman George Lillikas and other Greek Cypriot personalities yesterday.

The report entitled `The Cyprus Stalemate: What Next?' which was presented in Nicosia on Wednesday, cites President Tassos Papadopoulos as the main obstacle to a Cyprus settlement.

Its main theme is that the controversial Annan Plan, which was overwhelmingly rejected by the Greek Cypriots in the 2004 referendum, "represents the only feasible basis for a reunification solution," and praises Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots for accepting it in a their separate referendum.

The 30-page report analyses the situation in a way that absolves Turkey completely of any blame for its continuing occupation of north Cyprus (something it studiously avoids mentioning) and its consequences.

No reference to

UN resolutions



It also avoids any reference to the ethnic cleansing of the Greek Cypriot population of the north, the gross violations of the human rights of the displaced Greek Cypriot refugees, and to the judgements of the European Court of Human Rights.

These found Turkey guilty, repeatedly ordering it to allow the refugees to return and to regain their usurped properties This is something restricted by the Annan Plan which is so strongly backed by the IGC report.

IGC also avoids any reference to the numerous UN resolutions that demand the reunification of the island, the unconditional return of the refugees, the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation troops and the tens of thousands of mainland settlers introduced to the occupied north in violation of the Geneva Conventions. These resolutions brand the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state illegal and a vassal state of Turkey and urge the international community to have nothing to do with it. Despite this the IGC report's other main thrust is for and ending to the ``isolation'' of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state as a reward for its acceptance of the Annan Plan.

It is as if this acceptance by itself automatically nullifies the judgements of the Rights Court and the UN resolutions, legitimising the breakaway state and all the other illegal consequences of the Turkish invasion and occupation. Indeed the report argues that ``the 2004 vote in the north for reunification has invalidated the political logic of isolation.''

In connection with the settlers the report says their influx continues and warns that this increases the risk of the Turkish Cypriots "becoming a minority in their own part of the island," taking it for granted that the north belongs to them and not to the people of Cyprus as a whole!

While pushing hard on the "isolation" issue the report avoids reference to the substantial financial gain of the economy of the north resulting from the income of the thousands of Turkish Cypriots crossing to work in the south, of the government pension payments to the north and free medical aid.

It also avoids explaining that the "isolation," where it exists, is brought on as much by the breakaway state itself which insists on being treated as an equal with the Cyprus government. This insistence prompted it to reject EU aid of 120m euros, insisting this should be paid to it direct and not through the Cyprus government!

Criticism of

Papadopoulos

In its determination to blame President Papadopoulos, the report ignores his repeated statements that a Cyprus settlement must be firmly based on the relevant UN resolutions, respect for Human Rights, the judgements of the Rights Court, and, following the accession of Cyprus to the European Union, compliance with the EU aquis, or basic EU principles.

These fundamental demands are also ignored by the Annan Plan and this was one of the main reasons for its overwhelming rejection by the Greek Cypriots in the 2004 referendum.

It is for these reasons, among others, that the plan was accepted in the separate Turkish Cypriot referendum whose outcome was determined by the participation of the illegal Turkish mainland settlers who had every reason to vote `Yes,' since the plan legitimises their stay in the island.

The report states bluntly that "the most substantial blockage of such an agreement (based on the Annan Plan) is now the policy and attitude of the Greek Cypriot leadership and in particular of President Tassos Papadopoulos."

It charges that President Papadopoulos "does not seem to have any inclination, or coherent strategy on how, to get reunification back on track, and the prospects of achieving it look bleak."

The report rejects the conclusions of the Annan-Papadopoulos Paris meeting last month as inconsequential. It declares that this ended with "no indication of serious re-engagement by the Greek Cypriot side."

This contrasts glaringly with the view of the US Ambassador to Cyprus Ronald Schlicher who, during a visit to Limassol this week, described the outcome of the Paris meeting as a major breakthrough in the settlement efforts.

In its staunch support of the Annan Plan, the report quotes people backing it but avoids any parallel reference to the many prominent international critics, including eminent jurists, who maintain it is so flawed, and pro-Turkish, as to be unacceptable.

'We gave Cyprus to Turkey

in form of the Annan Plan'



In this respect, it is worth recalling the blunt public admission by a senior United States State Department official, who summed up the situation by declaring in public that "we gave Cyprus to Turkey in the form of the Annan Plan."

Report excerpts and comments

THE report is too long to reproduce in full. Here are some of its key points, glaring inconsistencies and recommendations (with page reference):

1 - The report refers to Turkey's right to intervene militarily under the Treaty of Guarantee following the 1974 coup by the Greek junta. But it avoids clarifying that this right was strictly aimed at restoring the constitutional order, not to occupy the north, expel the Greek Cypriot population and eventually proclaim a breakaway state.

4 - Reference to ``143,000 Turkish Cypriots going to the polls'' in the 1974 referendum, without specifying that this figure included the illegal mainland settlers who had every reason to vote `Yes," and who outnumbered the native voters as claimed by Turkish Cypriots themselves.

7 - Saying that that "Claims that the Annan Plan violated EU law and the European Convention of Human Rights are overstated." This in effect admits that rights are violated, but sidelines the natural expectation that any violations must cease, and not be condoned.

7 - "Complaints about the Annan Plan's toleration of the continued presence of Turkish troops are overstated ... Complete demilitarisation of the island was unattainable in the context of the 1960 constitutional treaties, which were not in question in the 2004 referendum.'' It is strange that the report justifies the presence of the Turkish troops under the 1960 treaties, but ignored all the other provisions of the same treaties which are also ignored by the Annan Plan.

7 - The report argues that the Greek Cypriots should have voted yes in the referendum ``so that many refugees could return home, rather than `no' so that none could return.'' The `No' vote was precisely because the Annan Plan did not allow all the refugees to return, as demanded by UN resolutions and international law.

13 - In a remarkable piece of advice to the Greek Cypriots, the report says that "if they are worried about the Turkish Cypriots seeking recognition, they should call their presumed bluff and accept the Annan Plan."

20 - In an even more remarkable passage, the report makes a brief comment that unwittingly reveals the main obstacle to a settlement all these years. The comment says that following its accession to the EU Cyprus is using this to increase pressure on Turkey. But it then adds that "it is most improbable that any Turkey government now or in the future could afford to give up Cyprus for the sake of EU membership." This is clearly an admission that Turkey intends to maintain its hold on Cyprus no matter what.

Threat of secession

is repeated

Taking this further, the report in effect warns that if the EU rejects Turkey's full membership, then "Turkey's incentives to seek accommodation with anyone in the EU, let alone the Cyprus government, would greatly diminish, and the likelihood of a push for TRNC secession would accordingly increase.''

21 - The threat of secession is also repeated in a reference to the likelihood of the rejection of an agreed solution in a second referendum. In such a case "the two communities could then be granted the option of separate self-determination by the international community."

28 - The report argues that following the accession of Cyprus to the EU, "the EU has become part and parcel of the conflict and cannot credibly undertake a mediating role: this will remain the responsibility of the UN." But the EU should assist in ``the economic development and European integration of northern Cyprus and contribute constructively to the much-abused `European solution' slogan on the island.'' It should also increase bilateral contacts with Turkish Cypriot politicians and maintain ``constant pressure on the Greek Cypriot government to moderate its intransigence.''

29 - The EU, the US and other states should open branch offices in the north.

Expanding on this, the report says one option that could be considered, "if international impatience with the Greek Cypriots became very strong," would be for the UN to decide that a Cyprus delegation would only be seated if it included representations from both communities.

Other intergovernmental institutions such as the Council of Europe "could follow suit." If Cyprus refused, the report says, this would "open the way for the separate international political representation of the Turkish Cypriots, with all that would imply."

[kimon07]

Stop wasting our time Halili.

The Cyprus problem IS SOLVED!

"We seek for Cyprus a constitutional democracy based on majority rule, the rule of law, and the protection of minority rights"(George H.W. Bush, vice President of the US, July 6th 1988).


Here are the basics of the issue:

1. The CY issue consists of two “legs”
(a) The invasion and its results.
(b) The internal (constitutional) issue, i.e., what kind and type of a state should CY become.

2. The invasion issue has been resolved many decades ago. As everyone knows or should know, the Gen Assembly of the UN, the Sec. Council, the Council of Europe and the EU, have determined that Turkey should withdraw IMMEDIATELY its troops and settlers from the island, and should lift the ethnic cleansing results of the invasion, i.e., the GCs should return to their homes and their properties should be given back to them.

Therefore, as long as the invasion of 1974 and its results are concerned, there is no need to be looking for a solution as the solution is there. It only needs to be implemented. And Turkey and Mr. Erdogan, instead of accusing others for not cooperating for a solution, are responsible to implement it. And the Int. Community, meaning, mainly, the "great powers", MUST see to its implementation even with the use of force, just like they did in the case of Kuwait. (Maybe now that that CY is to become rich in gas and oil they will be keener in implementing it than before).

3. The second leg of the problem, i.e., the internal/constitutional issue, should also be considered more or less solved since 2004, needing only formulation of the solution into a new constitution and implementation of it.

What I mean here is that, after CY joined the EU as a full member state, there can be no other arrangement than a constitution drawn in compliance with the EU principals of democracy, majority and the equal treatment of all the citizens of the republic including the minorities, just like George H. Bush declared in 1988, (when he was chasing after the votes of the Greek Americans that is).

As we know, the native population of CY, comprises of the GCs majority (80%) and four (4) minorities i.e., TCs, Armenians, Maronites and Latin (20%).

4. It does not really matter if the republic, under the new constitution, will be organized under a form like the US or Switzerland or Belgium e.t.c., as long as there is a central sovereign state/government dealing with all major internal and external affairs, while the five communities deal only with their own internal/communal affairs.

5. It goes without saying that under a western European democratic system, any arrangement which would give to any minority the right to have EQUAL power to the central government as well as rotating term in the leadership (presidency) of the central government, based on ethnic or religious criteria is out of the question. Does the US constitution offer rotating leadership (presidency) to, let us say, the Black or the Mexican or the Greek or the Jewish communities of the US? Does the British system recognize any such rights for the Asians consisting today a very large part of its population? Does any European constitution grant to any ethnic community such rights in any of the EU countries where ethnic or other minorities exist? Why should the CY constitution do so? In other words, the provisions of the Anan Plan which was splitting the central power on the island equally between the majority of Cypriots and the TrC minority belongs were the Cypriots put it, i.e., the garbage can of history.

6. It also goes without saying that the provisions of the Annan Plan for guarantor countries are also out of the question. That would make CY a protectorate, not a sovereign country. If the TCs don't feel safe, if they need to have the protection of an armed force, this is easy to arrange as well:


- The EU may deploy on the island, preferably in one of the present bases of the Tr. Army, part of the EU rapid deployment force, which consists of troops from all EU countries.
- One or both of the british bases is/are turned over to NATO for the deployment of NATO ground, air and naval units for the control of the East Med.
- Both above forces will be protecting the whole of the island and its citizens from all sorts of threats. Thus, Cyprus and the TCs will be able to abolish their armed forces and turn over their weaponry to the EU force.
Additionally, above forces will be protecting the wealth of CY which will soon be the wealth of the EU as well, and will be utilized to the benefit of all CY citizens, majority and minorities alike.

7. Concluding, I would like to comment a bit on the propaganda of Turkey, the UK and others about how perfect and fair the Anan Plan was for the Cypriots. Well, if this is the case, why don’t they apply it for the Kurds in Turkey, The Basks and Catalonians in Spain, the Corsicans in France and finally, the Scots and Welsh in the UK? If this plan was “reuniting” Cyprus, why don’t they “reunite” their own countries with it first??

8. The governments of both CY and GR are committing a continuous crime against the people of CY by not promoting the above all these decades. And by pleading others to come up with a “fair and viable solution” when the solution was always there, at least after 2004. At least they should work on these lines now that CY has become the “precious Aphrodite” to the Big Boys (US, EU, Russia China, Japan, Israel etc). After all, where money talks .... Turkey walks.

[Viewpoint]

So the bottom line is hand the whole island to the GCs and accept minority rights. Duh.... like never.

[Hermes]

I believe that all minorities in Cyprus should have their rights protected. As guaranteed by the EU of which the Republic of Cyprus is currently President. That is the best way to solve the Cyprus 'problem'.